Siquijor Day Tour from Bohol- Shared Tour

Siquijor’s appeal is its mix of cool waterfalls, white sand, and old island mysticism, all packed into one ambitious day from Bohol. You cross by ferry, ride around the island, and return late, so this is less a lazy beach outing than a fast, memorable survey of Siquijor.

I like the chance to see places that are hard to combine independently in one day, especially Cambugahay Falls and the Bolo-Bolo healing visit. I also like the small group, capped at 12, and the guide’s role in explaining local customs. The main concern is the return ferry: schedules can shift, and a delay can turn this already long day into an exhausting overnight arrival.

Key points to know before booking

• 17 hours from Abraham Bohol: Expect an early start, two ferry rides, and a late return.
• Cambugahay Falls is the activity’s strongest nature stop: Bring a swimsuit and allow for wet, slippery conditions.
• Guide Lee, also known as Leebuir: His energy and explanations add useful context to the island’s traditions.
• The ferry schedule needs flexibility: The return may run at 7 p.m. or 9 p.m., and delays have caused very late arrivals.
• Entrance fees and transport are included: Meals, drinks, towels, and the healer’s service fee are not.
• This suits active visitors: Mobility limitations can make the stops and transfers difficult.

Why this Siquijor day trip is worth considering

At $92 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Siquijor. But the price includes the ferry tickets in both directions, a guide, van transport around the island, and entrance fees. You are paying for coordination as much as sightseeing, since a day trip from Bohol requires matching ferry times with a packed island route.

I see the value most clearly if you have no spare night for Siquijor. You can reach the island, visit several of its best-known places, and return without arranging separate boats, a rental scooter, entrance payments, and local directions.

The tradeoff is time. The island portion runs from roughly 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., but the full experience begins around 6 a.m. and can finish well after 8 p.m. You will spend about two hours on each scheduled ferry, plus road transfers and waiting time.

This is not a tour for slow exploration. You will get a taste of many sides of Siquijor, but you will not have long at every stop.

The early transfer from Abraham Bohol to Siquijor

The day starts at Abraham Bohol Resort at about 6 a.m. A van takes you to Tagbilaran Pier, with the listed road transfer taking around an hour. From there, the ferry crossing to Siquijor is scheduled for about two hours.

The boat ride gives you a useful change of pace. After the early van transfer, you can sit down and watch the water before the island program begins. Still, ferry travel in the Philippines requires patience. The departure and arrival times in the schedule are approximate, and a one-hour delay has occurred on the morning crossing.

That matters because every late start cuts into your time on Siquijor. If you want a relaxed beach day, this arrangement may feel rushed. If you want to see as much as possible in one visit, the early start is the cost of admission.

The group is limited to 12 people and travels by van once on Siquijor. A small group makes loading, site visits, and guide conversations easier than a large coach tour. It also means the day depends on everyone keeping close to the schedule.

Paliton Beach and Pitogo Cliff: a quick first look

The first Siquijor stops are Shaka Cafe in San Juan and Pitogo Cliff. The schedule allows only short visits here, so think of them as scenic introductions rather than full beach time.

Paliton Beach is known for pale sand and clear water, making it one of the island’s most appealing coastal stops. You may get time to look around, take photos, and enjoy the shore, but the tour soon moves on. Pack sunscreen, a hat, and swimwear if you want to make the most of the coastal setting.

Pitogo Cliff gives you a higher viewpoint over the coast. It is a good early stop because it shows the island from above before the tour heads inland. The schedule places it at around 10:15 a.m., followed by the Balete Tree at 11 a.m.

I would not book this tour solely for Paliton Beach. The stop is part of a broader route, and the attraction here is variety. You see the coast, then old trees, waterfalls, mountain views, and cultural sites in quick succession.

The old Balete Tree and its natural foot spa

The Balete Tree is one of Siquijor’s most distinctive stops. The tree is described as around 400 years old, and a shallow pool at its base contains small fish that nibble at your feet.

This is an easy stop to enjoy because you can take part at your own pace. Sit near the water, place your feet in the pool, and watch the fish gather. The experience is playful, simple, and tied to the island’s folklore without requiring a strenuous walk.

The site also gives you a glimpse of how nature and local stories overlap in Siquijor. The tree is not just a photo stop. It carries a sense of age and legend, which helps explain why the island has long attracted stories about healers and unusual powers.

Bring a small towel. Towels are not included, and you may use one at several wet stops during the day.

Cambugahay Falls is the day’s main physical highlight

Cambugahay Falls is the stop I would look forward to most. The water is cool and refreshing, and the falls form pools where you can swim. The itinerary allows roughly an hour and a half here, which gives you more useful time than at the shorter viewpoints.

A jungle swing is also listed as part of the experience. You can expect a playful, active stop rather than a quiet viewpoint. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and footwear that can handle wet ground.

The falls are also where the schedule can feel tight. You need time to change, get into the water, enjoy the pools, and return to the van for lunch at 1:15 p.m. Do not assume you can linger indefinitely. Keep an eye on the guide’s timing.

This stop may be difficult for anyone with mobility impairments. The tour itself is not suitable for people with mobility limitations, and wet natural areas can be awkward even for otherwise fit visitors. If you are unsure, ask the operator before booking.

Lunch at Twenty4 Restaurant and Events

Lunch is scheduled at Twenty4 Restaurant and Events at about 1:15 p.m. Meals are not included in the $92 price, so plan to pay separately for your food and drinks.

This arrangement keeps the tour price lower and gives you a chance to choose what you want from the restaurant. It also means you should carry money for lunch, snacks, and drinks rather than assuming every meal is covered.

The timing follows Cambugahay Falls, which makes practical sense. You can eat after the morning’s swimming and before the afternoon’s cultural stops. Keep lunch reasonably efficient, since the next visit begins at around 2:30 p.m.

The Butterfly Sanctuary and Mount Bandilaan

The Butterfly Sanctuary offers a calmer change after the waterfall. You can see local butterflies in a garden setting and take a short break from the van and ferry rhythm.

The stop is not the reason to book the tour, but it adds variety. Without it, the day would lean heavily toward beaches, waterfalls, and viewpoints. Here, you get a closer look at one part of the island’s natural life.

Mount Bandilaan follows at around 3 p.m. The viewpoint gives you broad views across Siquijor, and it is one of the better places to understand the island’s size and shape. After seeing the coast at Pitogo Cliff, you get a higher inland perspective.

The timing is brief, so your visit may be more about taking in the view than walking around. Weather can affect the experience. Rain reduced some planned activities on one outing, yet the guide adjusted the day and kept the group informed. That sort of flexibility matters on an island tour where clouds and showers can arrive quickly.

Meeting a Bolo-Bolo healer

The visit to a traditional Bolo-Bolo healer is the most unusual part of the program. You learn about a local healing practice connected with Siquijor’s long-standing reputation for island mysticism.

Approach this stop with curiosity and respect. It is a cultural encounter, not a medical consultation, and the service fee for the healer is not included. Carry extra cash if you want to participate in the healing ritual.

I like that the tour gives context rather than presenting Siquijor only as beaches and photo stops. The visit may not suit everyone, especially if you prefer a purely nature-based day, but it helps explain why the island feels different from a standard beach destination.

Guide Lee, also called Leebuir, has been praised for explaining island traditions and adjusting the mood to the group. A good guide matters here because the value of the visit comes from understanding what you are seeing, not simply arriving, taking a picture, and leaving.

Coffee and sunset views at Bucafe

The final island stop is Bucafe, also called Bukid Cafe, at around 4:30 p.m. You have free time for coffee, local snacks, and views as the light begins to soften.

This is a smart way to close the sightseeing portion. After a day of stops and transfers, you can sit down before heading to Larena Port. The café gives the group room to breathe, though the amount of sunset color will depend on the weather and ferry schedule.

The café stop is also useful because food and drinks are not included elsewhere in the tour price. You can buy something small here, but do not rely on it as a substitute for lunch.

At about 5 p.m., the van heads to Larena Port. The planned ferry leaves around 6:30 p.m., though the return may be scheduled for 7 p.m. or 9 p.m. depending on availability.

The return ferry is the biggest risk

The return journey deserves careful thought. The standard plan lists a ferry from Siquijor to Tagbilaran, followed by transport back to Abraham Bohol. The crossing is expected to take around two hours, but actual timing can vary.

One late return has arrived in Bohol around 5 a.m. after a delay of nearly six hours. Another experience involved confusion over the correct port, with an extra transfer cost. These are not small inconveniences when you have already been awake since early morning.

Before booking, confirm the exact return ferry, the port, and the expected arrival time. Keep your plans after the tour flexible. Do not schedule an early flight, an important appointment, or a nonrefundable evening connection based on the listed arrival time.

The ferry may also be a late or sleeping service rather than a bright daytime crossing. That can be tiring, especially after the full island route. The ferry uncertainty is the strongest argument for staying overnight in Siquijor instead, if you have the time.

What to bring and who should book

Bring a swimsuit, towel, hat, sunscreen, and money for meals, drinks, snacks, and the healer’s service fee. Comfortable clothing and shoes suited to wet conditions will help at Cambugahay Falls and the other outdoor stops.

The English-speaking guide leads a small group of up to 12 people. The tour includes all entrance fees, the van, both ferry tickets, and the guide, so you do not need to organize each attraction yourself.

I would choose this trip if you have only one free day, want a guided introduction to Siquijor, and are comfortable with a very long schedule. It is especially useful for visitors who would rather not rent a scooter or arrange several separate transfers.

I would hesitate if you dislike early mornings, ferry uncertainty, rushed sightseeing, or wet outdoor stops. If you can spend a night on Siquijor, that option will give you more control and more time at the falls and beaches.

Should you book this Siquijor day tour?

Book it if your priority is seeing the island at all during a Bohol stay. The combination of Cambugahay Falls, the Balete Tree, Mount Bandilaan, the Bolo-Bolo visit, and the café stop gives you a strong first look at Siquijor for $92.

Think twice if the return schedule could disrupt your plans. The tour’s island program is appealing, but the ferry is the part you cannot control. Keep the next morning free, confirm the sailing details before departure, and treat the listed times as targets rather than guarantees.

FAQ

Where does the Siquijor day tour from Bohol begin?

Pickup is at Abraham Bohol Resort. The first transfer takes you by van to Tagbilaran Pier.

How long does the full tour last?

The listed duration is 17 hours, including the van transfers, ferry rides, island sightseeing, and return to Abraham Bohol.

Is transport included?

Yes. The price includes the van transportation between the attractions and ferry tickets from Bohol to Siquijor and back.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. Entrance fees for the scheduled attractions are included in the tour price.

Are meals included?

No. Lunch, drinks, and snacks are not included. Lunch is scheduled at Twenty4 Restaurant and Events.

Is a towel provided?

No. You should bring your own towel, along with a swimsuit, hat, and sunscreen.

What language does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English. Guide Lee, also called Leebuir, has led the route and explained local traditions.

Is the healer’s fee included?

No. The service fee for the Bolo-Bolo healer is paid separately.

Can the return ferry time change?

Yes. The return departure from Larena may be scheduled for 7 p.m. or 9 p.m., depending on availability. Ferry delays are also possible.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, particularly because of the outdoor stops and waterfall visit.